Apple May Be Investigated For Anti-Competitive Practices In India

Apple may soon undergo tough scrutiny from Indian regulators for alleged anti-competitive practices involving the sale of iPhones inside the country.

According to a Competition Commission of India official, a case was filed with the regulatory board against Apple almost a month back. The complaint stated that Apple was violating competition laws within the country by choosing to work with only two mobile operators when selling the iPhone 4.

The only two mobile operators Apple had tied up in India for the iPhone4 are Bharti AirTel and Aircel.

The official, who passed on this information on the condition of anonymity, also revealed that the commission was currently examining the merits of the complaint. He did not disclose the details of the complaint though,PC World reports.

An Apple, India official on the other hand, defended the company by saying that it has not received any notice from the Competition Commission yet. He added that the company has been selling the iPhone 4 through the two mentioned operators, as well as through other retail channels.

He also claimed that the data plans that accompany the purchase of the iPhone 4 from these two operators are optional, and buyers can choose tom simply buy the phone without a contract.